228: Chapter 228 Recruiting Another One!

Perfected Hongluan's voice fell, and a brief silence ensued.

Ye Chen pursed his lips, his small hand unconsciously clutching the corner of his clothes.

He turned his head and glanced at Ye Zhenzhen beside him.

Ye Zhenzhen was standing obediently behind Lu Shiyin, her large, dark eyes curiously observing the red-robed, lazy-looking Core Formation True Person in the hall.

She didn't seem to fully understand what had just happened; she only thought this beautiful "auntie" looked very powerful, so she couldn't help but look a few more times.

Looking at his sister's innocent little face, Ye Chen felt a wave of complex emotions in his heart.

Ye Zhenzhen, his sister who was half a year younger than him, was born to Lu Shiyin.

Although they were half-siblings, their relationship had always been very good.

Speaking of which, this was thanks to their mothers.

Lu Shiyin and Lu Shiqing were biological sisters who had been very close since childhood. Lu Shiyin was gentle and dignified, while Lu Shiqing was proud and lively; though their personalities were vastly different, they had never quarreled.

After marrying into the Ye family, they became even closer.

Although Lu Shiqing was often stubborn, saying things like "Sister, don't spoil that guy in everything," whenever Ye Changge went out, she was always the first to run to Lu Shiyin's courtyard to chat with her sister and relieve her boredom.

And Lu Shiyin would always listen with a smile as her sister rambled on, complaining that "Husband is being biased again" or "Husband is bullying me again," occasionally agreeing or offering gentle persuasion.

The bond between the sisters was even deeper than when they were at their parents' home.

Influenced by their mothers, Ye Chen and Ye Zhenzhen had played together since they were young.

One was proud and stubborn, the other gentle and obedient; their personalities were completely different, yet they got along exceptionally well.

At this moment, looking at his oblivious sister, the thought in Ye Chen's mind became clearer and clearer.

His Spiritual Root was sixth-grade, and Ye Zhenzhen's Spiritual Root was also sixth-grade.

The two siblings had similar talent; if they could both join the Sect under this Perfected Hongluan, they could look after each other on the path of immortality in the future.

Moreover... he stole a glance at Perfected Hongluan.

Although this Immortal Master looked lazy and idle, she was a great Cultivator of the Core Formation Stage!

In the entire Zhao State, it was said there was only one Nascent Soul Cultivator on the surface; the Core Formation Stage was already an existence capable of founding a Sect.

Being able to join the Sect under a Core Formation True Person was an Opportunity that countless Cultivators dreamed of.

If he missed today, he might never encounter such a chance again in his life.

Ye Chen gritted his teeth, summoned his courage, and reached out to take Ye Zhenzhen's small hand.

"Brother?" Ye Zhenzhen looked up, blinking her eyes, looking at him with some confusion.

"Come with me," Ye Chen said in a low voice.

Leading his sister, he walked out from the crowd to the center of the hall and looked up at Perfected Hongluan, who sat high above.

Perfected Hongluan was propping up her chin out of boredom, her narrow Phoenix eyes half-closed, looking as if she might fall asleep at any moment.

Sensing someone approaching, she lazily lowered her eyelids and looked at the two tiny figures below.

Ye Chen took a deep breath, straightened his back, and tried to make his voice sound as steady as possible:

"Immortal Master!"

Perfected Hongluan raised an eyebrow: "Hmm?"

Leading Ye Zhenzhen, Ye Chen respectfully bowed to Perfected Hongluan, then looked up at her with clear, black-and-white eyes and said seriously:

"Immortal Master, this is my sister, Ye Zhenzhen. She also has a Sixth-grade Spiritual Root. Could you please take her in as well?"

Hearing this, Perfected Hongluan was slightly taken aback.

She lowered her gaze to look at the little girl being led by Ye Chen.

Ye Zhenzhen was wearing a light pink dress, her black hair tied into two small buns, her round little face fair with a hint of red, and her large eyes were dark and curious as she observed her.

Seeing Perfected Hongluan look over, Ye Zhenzhen didn't feel shy; she gave a sweet smile and called out in a childish voice:

"Hello, Immortal Master—"

Looking at that innocent little face, the corner of Perfected Hongluan's mouth twitched slightly.

She sighed inwardly.

She hated trouble the most.

Over the years, she hadn't taken a single disciple simply because she was too lazy to teach.

Cultivation was so tiring, and teaching disciples was even more so.

Giving guidance on Cultivation Techniques, answering questions, worrying about the disciple's progress... just thinking about it gave her a headache.

The reason she made an exception today was actually for a reason.

Firstly, her trip out to travel was originally on her Master's orders to "go down the mountain, walk around, and see if there are any suitable good prospects."

The old Master had said that she spent all day lazing around on the mountain without even a single disciple; if this continued, the Sect's lineage would be broken in her hands.

Although she was unwilling, she couldn't disobey her Master's orders, so she had no choice but to come out for a look.

Secondly, she had indeed taken a liking to Ye Chen.

This kind of Spirit Body was one in ten thousand, a natural talent for the Sword Dao.

Although she was lazy, her standards were extremely high. She wouldn't even look at an ordinary Genius.

When she first saw Ye Chen, her heart had been moved.

That was why she had made an exception and taken the initiative to offer to take him as a disciple.

Otherwise, with her personality, even if Ye Chen knelt before her and kowtowed a hundred times, she wouldn't bother with him.

But now...

Not satisfied with being accepted himself, this child wanted to foist his sister on her too?

Looking at Ye Chen's stubborn eyes, Perfected Hongluan felt a wave of helplessness.

She opened her mouth, intending to refuse.

But the words were on the tip of her tongue when she saw Ye Chen's serious little face and how tightly he held his sister's hand, and she suddenly found it a bit hard to say.

This child was actually quite responsible.

Having gained an Opportunity himself, he didn't forget to give his sister a hand.

This sibling bond was indeed rare.

Perfected Hongluan sighed inwardly, her gaze falling on Ye Zhenzhen again.

A Sixth-grade Spiritual Root was mediocre—not particularly outstanding, but not bad either.

It's just... she really didn't want it.

One more disciple meant one more set of troubles.

How nice it was to be free and unfettered alone; why should she go looking for trouble?

Just as Perfected Hongluan was thinking about how to decline politely, Lu Shiyin had already stepped forward quickly.

Hearing Ye Chen's words just now, she was both surprised and moved.

This child, having been accepted himself, was still thinking about his sister...

She hurried to the center of the hall, first giving a deep bow to Perfected Hongluan, then turning to look at Ye Chen, and said gently:

"Chen'er, do not be naughty."

Her tone was gentle but carried a hint of reproach:

"It is already a great Opportunity for the Immortal Master to take you as a disciple. I will worry about your sister's affairs; do not push your luck and displease the Immortal Master."

After saying that, she turned back to Perfected Hongluan and said apologetically:

"Please forgive us, Immortal Master. The child is young and doesn't know better; he has offended the Immortal Master. I hope you will not blame him."

Hearing this, Ye Chen pursed his lips, not letting go of his words or his sister's hand.

He stood stubbornly in place, his eyes still fixed on Perfected Hongluan, filled with expectation and a hint of defiance.

His gaze clearly said: Immortal Master, if you don't take my sister, I won't go either.